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The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today confirmed that, subject to contract, EU funds will be made available to the CAA to help GA pilots and private aircraft owners move to 8.33 kHz radios. All aircraft registered in the EU that use radios need to be equipped with 8.33 kHz equipment by December 2017.

The CAA applied to the EU for €4.3m funding to encourage the timely transition of the UK GA fleet from existing 25 kHz radios to 8.33 kHz equipment. That application was for the maximum permitted grant of 20 per cent of the estimated total cost of 8.33 kHz equipage.

The CAA will now be working closely with the UK GA member associations and representatives to distribute the funds to aircraft owners. More details on how that will work in practice will be released shortly.

Tony Rapson, Head of the GA Unit said: “We are delighted our application for radio funding was successful. This will go some way to easing the burden for aircraft owners converting to 8.33 kHz equipage in the UK and continues to demonstrate our commitment to get the best deal possible for the UK GA community.”

Notes to Editors:

The CAA is the UK's aviation regulator. Its activities include: making sure that the aviation industry meets the highest technical and operational safety standards; preventing holidaymakers from being stranded abroad or losing money because of tour operator insolvency; planning and regulating all UK airspace; and regulating airports, air traffic services and airlines and providing advice on aviation policy.

A shortage of aviation radio frequencies across Europe means that most existing frequencies are being split to reduce the gap between them, allowing the introduction of more frequencies. As a result owners of general aviation aircraft will need to ensure that any radios fitted can transmit and receive on both 8.33kHz and 25kHz by 1 January 2018.